Assam flood relief: Sivasagar and Charaideo get 1-year land tax waiver

The Assam government on Saturday, August 1, announced a one-year waiver of land revenue (mati khajana) for residents of the flood-ravaged districts of Sivasagar and Charaideo as part of its relief and rehabilitation measures.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made the announcement during a Facebook Live session, stating that the waiver will be applicable from April 1.

The two Upper Assam districts were among the worst affected by the recent floods, which inundated thousands of homes, damaged agricultural land and public infrastructure, and displaced large numbers of people.

The chief minister also announced that domestic electricity consumers in Sivasagar and Charaideo with monthly consumption of up to 300 units in July will not have to pay their electricity bills for the month. The bills will be paid by the government through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. For consumers using prepaid smart meters, the government will reload up to 300 units, while those consuming more than 300 units will have to pay the applicable charges.

Sarma further said the state government has held discussions with insurance companies to ensure speedy settlement of claims for flood-affected residents of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat.

According to the chief minister, insurers have agreed to simplify the claims process by introducing an easy-to-fill application form and reducing the number of documents required, enabling affected families to receive compensation without unnecessary delays.